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Topic: steering wheel swap (Read 4334 times) previous topic - next topic

steering wheel swap

im fed up with my steering wheel oozing black glue on my clothes/ interior.

im looking around to find a guy to rewrap it and in the same process make it a wider grip. i dont want an aftermarket wheel because i will loose my cruise controls (which is all there is between me and johnny popo)

i like the 4 spoke 94-0x wheel that came in the gt's and cobras (black or grey leather) that has the cruise buttons up each side of the airbag

is it possible to fit this sucker into my 88 bird? also, since i dont have nor want airbags... does anyone make dummy airbags or covers to fill the spot in the middle of the wheel? like a cover or maybe an airbag that cant explode?

someone here will know what im looking for i hope
1988 T-Bird LX- Awaiting HO build, Monster "Eat My Shift" AOD rated 550Hp. BBK ceramic shorties, Jegs mustang (catless) H-Pipe. mustang catback modified axle back for tbird, 94 17" Cobra wheels, 98 'Stang GT 8.8 Traction-lock

steering wheel swap

Reply #1 –
I hate to suggest something that's been done a million times already, but have you considered swapping a TC/Sport/XR-7 steering wheel into the car?
You lose the goo but keep the cruise buttons. Plus, it looks cool.

If you could swap an SN95 or MN12 wheel into the car, I don't see why you can't remove the airbag and put the cover (horn pad) back onto the wheel.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

steering wheel swap

Reply #3 –
Well, since these cars never had an airbag, and thus no airbag sensors or wiring...why even worry about it!? ;)

Also, the shafts may or may not be the same. Another thing to consider is that different steering wheels have different offstes and depths.
For example: a base/lx Tbird wheel will physically fit an Escort GT column, but not enough to be able to bolt down, or turn.

I'd not worry about the airbag whatsoever, as long as the wheel fits and looks good. :D

PS, i have a decent wheel from my base Bird...needs a horn button.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

steering wheel swap

Reply #4 –


like that, only i dont care if it says cobra or not, just the style
1988 T-Bird LX- Awaiting HO build, Monster "Eat My Shift" AOD rated 550Hp. BBK ceramic shorties, Jegs mustang (catless) H-Pipe. mustang catback modified axle back for tbird, 94 17" Cobra wheels, 98 'Stang GT 8.8 Traction-lock

steering wheel swap

Reply #5 –
yeah im not concerned with the airbag system whatso ever (since the car dosent have one)

i just dont want something explosive sitting in front of me, so the delete kit is a must.

honestly i like my wheel design i have now out of the 87-88 fox steering wheels, it fits the bland design of the dash.

if i were going to keep that style wheel ill just get mine rewrapped and fitted with a thicker grip. i just thought it would be totally sweet to have a new wheel. especailly a 4 spoke design (cause ive never seen another bird with a new ford wheel)

plus it looks like the same thickness and design of the steering wheel of my dads land cruiser, which i think is comfey.
1988 T-Bird LX- Awaiting HO build, Monster "Eat My Shift" AOD rated 550Hp. BBK ceramic shorties, Jegs mustang (catless) H-Pipe. mustang catback modified axle back for tbird, 94 17" Cobra wheels, 98 'Stang GT 8.8 Traction-lock

steering wheel swap

Reply #6 –
Quote from: blain_gatterdam;189665
yeah im not concerned with the airbag system whatso ever (since the car dosent have one)
i just dont want something explosive sitting in front of me, so the delete kit is a must.



Trust me...with no sensors, and no wiring to it..it will NOT explode.
All the airbag module contains is the bag and the sodium powder.

It has to have a signal to make it go off. For that matter...you can take it apart, and cut it all out..but then again, those things sell for a few bucks..you may be money ahead to buy the delete piece, and sell the 'bag module. :D
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

steering wheel swap

Reply #7 –
ill go for the delete lol

how hard is it to get my current wheel off?

it looks like its a giant bolt and a few wires under my horn pad... but i know its not that easy (cause its a ford)
1988 T-Bird LX- Awaiting HO build, Monster "Eat My Shift" AOD rated 550Hp. BBK ceramic shorties, Jegs mustang (catless) H-Pipe. mustang catback modified axle back for tbird, 94 17" Cobra wheels, 98 'Stang GT 8.8 Traction-lock

steering wheel swap

Reply #8 –
its that easy. pull the horn button, loosen the bolt a little, pull and give it a whack with a hammer, and it should pop loose. If not pull the bolt and get a puller.
RIP 1988 and 1990 Lincoln Mark VII LSC
I welcomed the dark side and currently am driving a 2000 Dodge Durango SLT plus, with a 5.9, Code named project "Night Runner"
Shes black on black, fully loaded, with headers, 180 tstat, e fan, straight exhaust into a cherry bomb vortex ler, full tune up, ported intake and T/B, MSD coil, and round aircleaner.
Mods to come: Fully rebuilt and heavily modded 46RE, and a richmond rachet locker.
my $300 beater ;)
R.I.P Kayleigh Raposa 12/18/90 - 2/24/07

steering wheel swap

Reply #9 –
sweetness..

okay, what do i need to measure to cross reference wheels?

also, are all the cruise buttons the same wireing wise? like will a newer wheel (if it fits) hook right into my system if it has the same buttons?
1988 T-Bird LX- Awaiting HO build, Monster "Eat My Shift" AOD rated 550Hp. BBK ceramic shorties, Jegs mustang (catless) H-Pipe. mustang catback modified axle back for tbird, 94 17" Cobra wheels, 98 'Stang GT 8.8 Traction-lock

steering wheel swap

Reply #10 –
these wheels have a set of pr0ngs that run on a disc on the column, I doubt a new wheel will work. Look into wheels out of older mustangs.
RIP 1988 and 1990 Lincoln Mark VII LSC
I welcomed the dark side and currently am driving a 2000 Dodge Durango SLT plus, with a 5.9, Code named project "Night Runner"
Shes black on black, fully loaded, with headers, 180 tstat, e fan, straight exhaust into a cherry bomb vortex ler, full tune up, ported intake and T/B, MSD coil, and round aircleaner.
Mods to come: Fully rebuilt and heavily modded 46RE, and a richmond rachet locker.
my $300 beater ;)
R.I.P Kayleigh Raposa 12/18/90 - 2/24/07

steering wheel swap

Reply #11 –
'87 or '88 Mustang GT steering wheel.Slightly different than a Turbo Coupe steering wheel,but just as thick and it also has the cruise buttons.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

steering wheel swap

Reply #12 –
I got it backwards. The wheel has the disc, which rides on pr0ngs on the column.
RIP 1988 and 1990 Lincoln Mark VII LSC
I welcomed the dark side and currently am driving a 2000 Dodge Durango SLT plus, with a 5.9, Code named project "Night Runner"
Shes black on black, fully loaded, with headers, 180 tstat, e fan, straight exhaust into a cherry bomb vortex ler, full tune up, ported intake and T/B, MSD coil, and round aircleaner.
Mods to come: Fully rebuilt and heavily modded 46RE, and a richmond rachet locker.
my $300 beater ;)
R.I.P Kayleigh Raposa 12/18/90 - 2/24/07

steering wheel swap

Reply #13 –
Quote from: daboss351;189698
its that easy. pull the horn button, loosen the bolt a little, pull and give it a whack with a hammer, and it should pop loose. If not pull the bolt and get a puller.

Might leave an old socket (or your friend's best socket lol) on the bolt before you smack the piss out of it.
Make sure to put a dab of Loc-Tite on there again...not cool when your wheel comes off in your hand while going 65 down a highway lol

As far as what fits...not real sure...personally, i think the wheel out of '91 or '92 Stang would look good, myself.
I'd be willing to bet that a majority of wheels would interchange as far as the cruise controls were concerned.
Ford most likely kept the same general layout of the steering column across the board.

Have you thought of a Grant GT wheel? Thunderchicken put one in his car, and installed cruise buttons in the lower trim on the dash.
I thought it was tits-up, myself. :D
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)
 

steering wheel swap

Reply #14 –
I need to see a picure of Thunderchicken's setup.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..